| The Spanish Armada was a fleet numbering one | | | | Irish coast, a number of ships in varying states of |
| hundred and thirty ships that set sail from Lisbon | | | | distress made landfall. However, they received a |
| in August 1588, with the mission of invading | | | | most unfriendly welcome, they faced belligerent |
| England. The fleet sailed up the English Channel in a | | | | forces who administered immediate slaughter. |
| crescent formation, with the troop transports in | | | | The order went out from Lord Deputy Fitzwilliam |
| the centre. At Calais they were met by an English | | | | for the apprehension and execution of all |
| fleet, under the cover of darkness the English set | | | | Spaniards; the use of torture was sanctioned in |
| fireships alight, using the tide to carry them into | | | | pursuit of the survivors, and those aiding them |
| the massed Spanish fleet, causing massive | | | | were to be charged as traitors. Some were |
| confusion. On 29 July, the two fleets met in battle | | | | promised pardon if they surrendered but were |
| of Gravelines, the English proving victorious. | | | | summarily executed. Less than 100 sailors |
| The Spanish fleet headed for home but the | | | | survived and remained in the country; a very |
| English blocked the Channel, so the only route | | | | small few of these returned to Spain later when |
| available was north around the tip of Scotland and | | | | their release was secured by a special envoy |
| down the west coast of Ireland. Violent storms | | | | from Phillip (some accounts estimate this figure to |
| battered the beleaguered ships. The fleet became | | | | be as low as eight). |
| scattered, around twenty were lost along the | | | | |